In what was a dramatic comeback, the Los Angeles Lakers, or more appropriately, LeBron James, overcame a 21-point deficit en route to a 116-112 win over the Los Angeles Clippers. The Lakers were trailing 98-77 in the first minute of the fourth quarter when James took charge to etch another legendary chapter in his storied career. He single-handedly outscored his cross-town rivals, netting 19 points to their 16 in the fourth quarter. LeBron alone accounted for 30 of the Lakers’ 39 points through scoring and assists in the final quarter, finishing with an impressive 34 points, eight assists, and six rebounds.

However, despite his masterclass against their co-tenants at the Crypto.com Arena, the Lakers still have reservations about keeping him on the team for another few years. In the recent episode of Nightcap, Gilbert Arenas disclosed that the Lakers are “not too happy” about James’ decision to seek a contract extension.

The Los Angeles Lakers would rather LeBron James retire than come back

A few days ago, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, who has been closely following James’ career since his high school days, reported that James is “angling” to sign a nine-figure multi-year deal with the Lakers that would keep him on the team for another three years. This new deal would extend his career until the age of 42, with the possibility of a $180 million payout. According to Arenas’ little birdies, “They [Los Angeles Lakers] not too happy that he wanna come back two more years.”

The 3x NBA All-Star then explained the Lakers conundrum, “It’s a lot of money…Right now, you know, his greatness basically has the Lakers handicapped in a sense. One of the things is you are in a bind. You can’t trade him, you look dumb. All hell breaks loose if you trade him. It’s one of those things you would rather have him retire.” Tonight’s victory further emphasized Gilbert Arenas’ point. Once again, the Lakers relied heavily on LeBron James to bail them out. The team’s bench performance was dismal, and their defensive deficiencies were glaring. If they extend James’ contract, it could severely impact their financial flexibility, hindering their ability to acquire valuable assets in the near future.

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However, if the Lakers are hesitant about extending his contract, James still has a lot of suitors willing to free up space to make room for him. The news about the Warriors recruiting LeBron had the internet in its grips a few weeks ago. Apart from a lucrative deal, moving to the Bay Area also gives him a shot at winning his fifth chip, a tantalizing prospect for his legacy.

The Philadelphia 76ers are also reportedly vying for LeBron’s services, looking to pair him with Joel Embiid in pursuit of the elusive NBA title. Given LeBron’s track record of winning championships with every team he’s played for, the Sixers might be willing to take the gamble if it means securing a championship. In any case, James’ decision on free agency will be a story to watch this summer.

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